Dutch university campuses are “bursting at the steams”, the Danish government agreed to reduce the number of courses offered in English at higher education institutions, and Brexit deterred international students from applying to UK universities. In the last few months and years, the position of the international student in the various European countries is upon discussion, as well as the debate surrounding the need for more internationalisation. Therefore: is internationalisation at risk? The Erasmus Generation believes in the enrichment of society through international students and that the international dimension of life will help improve international education and create positive change in society. 

The international student community in the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK account for a significant share in the total student number. Respectively, 103.000 in the Netherlands (Nuffic, 2021), which equals more than 25%, 34.000 in Denmark (Educations, 2021) and 556.000 in the UK, which equals 22% (HESA, sd), are enrolled in the current academic year. Why would one try to cap the number of international students or decrease international education? The fact is that international students significantly contribute to the national economy of a country. Research has shown that ten international students arriving from outside the EU will generate £1m of net economic impact during studies in the UK (Adams, 2021). International students in Denmark contribute 1 billion DKK annually to the Danish economy (ESN Denmark, 2021), and international students in the Netherlands contribute at least €740 million euros per year to the Dutch economy (Wittenborg, sd).

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